Bonnet

a head covering. It was originally the name of a woolen stuff of which a bonnet was made. In Scotland the name is applied to a rimless woolen cap worn by men. There are several styles, as the Glengarry, the Balmoral, the Braid Bonnet, and the Kilmarnock, or Tam-o'-Shanter. These are still worn by various Highland regiments in the service of His Majesty. Chambers's Encyclopedia thus describes the bonnet of the Scottish peasant:

The genuine old bonnet of the Lowland Scottish peasant was of a broad, round, and flat shape, overshadowing the face and neck, and of a dark-blue color, excepting a red tuft like a cherry on the top. The fabric was of thick milled woolen, without seam or lining, and so exceedingly durable that, with reasonable care, a single bonnet worth about two shillings would have served a man his whole life. No headdress ever invented could stand so much rough usage. It might be folded up and put in the pocket, or laid flat and sat upon, with equal impunity; it might be exposed to a heavy drenching rain without the head being wetted, and when dried, it was as good as ever. Besides, it could be worn on the top of the head, or slouched in front, behind, or sidewise, as a protective against a cold blast; and from its softness and elasticity, it very fairly saved the head from the effects of a blow. In short, there was no end to the adaptability of the old "braid bannet," as the Scotch termed it; and one almost feels a degree of regret that, in the progress of fashion, it should have gone so much out of use.

With the exception of these Scottish bonnets, the word is not applied at present to head coverings worn by men. As an article of woman's attire, the bonnet is not to be distinguished from the hat by the drawing of any hard and fast lines; although no woman would ever make the mistake of calling a hat a bonnet or a bonnet a hat. Generally speaking, we may say of a bonnet that it is small and brimless; that it is set well back on the head, and is tied beneath the chin with ribbons; that it is worn by infants and elderly ladies only. Bonnets, however, may be large; they may be set squarely on the head; they may have brims; they may be without ties; they may be worn by women of any age; and they are still bonnets. Like hats, bonnets may be made of any material, and decorated to suit the taste and the pocketbook of the wearer. Shaker bonnets of straw, and sunbonnets, usually of quilted cloth, are familiar articles of headdress. See Hat